Adjustable socket

ABSTRACT

An adjustable socket for use with any standard ratchet wrench, the device being adaptable to be made up in kits that include three of such adjustable sockets in different sizes so that together they replace need of nine to twelve solid sockets of different sizes; each of the adjustable sockets having three or more variable size settings of 1/16 of an inch apart, each adjustable socket including a socket at one end for removable attachment to a conventional socket wrench drive unit, and the other end having a set of radially adjustable, arcuate jaws each one of which is provided with a series of teeth.

I United States Patent [1 1 m1 3,724,299 Nelson 1 Apr. 3, 1973 54 ADJUSTABLE SOCKET Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson [7 6] Inventor: Nicholas R. Nelson, 710 West North Assistant Exammer james Smth St., Bellingham, Wash. 98225 [57] ABSTRACT [22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1971 6 An ad ustable socket for use with any standard ratchet pp No.5 167,955 wrench, the device being adaptable to be made up in kits that include three of such adjustable sockets in [52 US. Cl ..8l/l28 different Sizes 0 that together they replace need of [51] Int. Cl. ..B25d 13/18 nine to twelve solid sockets of different sizes; each of [58] Field of Search ..81/ 128, 129 the adjustable sockets having three or more variable size settings of 1/16 of an inch apart, each adjustable References Cited socket including a socket at one end for removable attachment to a conventional socket wrench drive unit, UNITED STATES PATENTS and the other end having a set of radially adjustable, 2,582,444 l/l952 Lucht ...8l/128 arcuate jaws each one of which-is provided with a series of teeth.

4 Claims, 36 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR3 197s 3,7 4,299

sum 3 0F 4 WW mm ADJUSTABLE SOCKET This invention relates generally to socket wrenches.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a socket for use with any standard ratchet wrench, the socket being adjustable in size.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable socket which is not bulky and which is strong so that a reasonably strong torque force may be applied there to without breakage, the present invention accordingly resolving in a practical way all previous attempts at creating an adjustable socket.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable socket which is intended for hand use so as to accommodate a force from an average man which is approximated to comprise a 95 pounds of torque exertion when tightening a bolt or the like.

Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable socket which can be made up in kit form consisting of several adjustable sockets each one of which is variable in size over several different adjacent 1/16 of an inch different sizes, the kit accordingly thus replacing av complete range of fixed sockets. I

Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable socket which thus represents a convenience to a user so to eliminate fumbling for a right size of socket, less pulling and pushing on and off of different size sockets and less chance of losing one of the sockets because he set one aside to use another.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide an adjustable socket which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, rugged in con-struction, easy touse and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a top view of the socket shown closed,

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view thereof,

FIG. 4 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. -5 is a side elevation view illustrating how a smaller bolt or nut may be accommodated,

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 7 is a top view of the socket shown expanded,

FIG. 8 is a side view thereof,

FIG. 9 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 10 is a top view of one of the jaw members used in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,

FIG. 11 is a side view thereof,

FIG. 12 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 11a is a side view of a modified jaw used in the construction illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6,

FIG. 12a is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 13 is a top view of a gear unit of the device,

FIG. 14 is a side view thereof,

FIG. 15 is a side view of a grooved unit for association with an indented groove underneath a top plate of the jaw illustrated in FIGS. 10 through 12,

. FIG. 16 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 17 is a top view of a barrel'of the device,

FIG. 18 is a side view thereof,

- FIG. 19 is a bottom view thereof,

FIG. 20 is a cross sectional view taken on the line '20-20 of FIG. 18,

FIG. 21 is a bottom view corresponding to FIG. 16 and illustrating different ways in which the grooves may be made,

FIG. 22 is a bottom view showing how the invented groove on the bottom of a sleeve may look,

FIG. 23 is a top view of a modified design of the barrel illustrated in FIG. 17,

FIG. 24 is a side elevation view thereof,

FIG. 25 is a side view showing the present invention fitted to a drive of a ratchet,

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing how the components may be fitted together,

FIG. 27 is a side view of an improved drive holder,

FIG. 28 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2828 of FIG. 27,

FIG. 29 is a detailed of structure shown in FIG. 28,

FIG. 30 is a view showing a type of angle that raised grooves might cut at to keep the socket or wrench increments from lifting during the adjust-ment procedure,

FIG. 31 is a top view of a modified design of jaw incorporating a small peg,

FIG. 32 is a top view of still another modified form thereof,

FIG. 33 is atop view there of in an assembly, and

FIG. 34 is a bottom perspective view of the adjustable socket.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIG. 1 an adjustable socket 10 which includes a cylindrical barrel 11 that upon its outer cylindrical side is provided with a knurling 12, the barrel 1 1 having a cylindrical central opening 13 in axial alignment with a cylindrical -central opening 14 between which there is a shoulder 15. The openings 13 and 14 form a continuous opening through the barrel 11. A plurality of four inwardly extending-projections 16 on a side wall 17 of the opening 13 are provided.

A drive holder l8 is fitted into the barrel 11, the

drive holder 18 including a one piece member that in- I corporates a cylindrical body 19 having a square opening 20 in one end thereof, the cylindrical body 19 being integral with a cylindrical portion 21 of lesser diameter and from which a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth 22 form a gear 23. An axially extending extension 24 adjacent the gear 23 is provided with a threaded opening 25 in the end thereof for receiving a screw 26 used in attaching a grooved unit 27 there to.

An inspection of FIGS. 14 and 20 readily show that a space 28 below the projections 16 is adaptable for the gear 23 of the drive holder, the gear teeth 22 being engageable with the projections 16 by longitudinal movement respectfully of the barrel to the drive holder.

Upon the under side of the barrel 11 there are a plurality of four arcuate indented grooves 29 as is bestshown in FIG. 19.

The present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of four jaws 30 each one of which upon its upper end 31 is provided with a raised arcuate ridge 32 that is slideably received within a corresponding one of the grooves 29 on the under side of the barrel 11. Each jaw 30 has a body of elongated shape and which cross sectionally is arcuate so to extend as is best shown in FIGS. 4 and 12 of the drawings. Accordingly each jaw body has an arcuate outer side wall and then also includes an arcuate inner side wall that is ridged with a plurality of inwardly extending teeth 33. As shown in the drawing, in the example illustrated,

extending teeth 33.

As shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the jaw 30 is engraved with calibrations 34, each of the calibrations being identified with a different fractional inch size as shown at 35, the calibrations 34 being engraved over the top edge 31 of the jaw so as to be selectively aligned with an engraved line 36 on the outer side of the barrel 11. Thus by selectively aligning the calibrations with the mark 36, each of the jaws can be spirally moved inwardly or outwardly to form a different size.

The extension 24 of the drive holder 18 is inserted through the opening 14 of the barrel, the extension being secureable to the grooved unit 27 which as shown in FIG. 16 is provided with indented grooves 37 which are located between raised grooves 38.

As shown in FIG. 12, the jaws 30 are each provided with a corresponding indented groove 39.. The modified design of the jaw illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 12a is likewise provided with indented groove 39 It is now evident that there is provided an adjustable socket.

References now made to FIG. 21 which shows the different ways in which the grooves may be made, but no matter what configuration they are made in, they must come straight outfrom the center in order to take up the strain of torque. It is' believed that the form of illustrated at 41 is simply a single one raised groove. At

- each of'the jaws is provided with four radially inwardly References now, made to FIG. 26 which illustrates the fitting of theparts together. It may be desirable to notch the side of the raised grooves 38 of the groove unit 27 so that the wrench, parts do not lift during the adjustment procedure.

sleeve to turn only a certain required distance.

Referring now to FIG. 28, the drive holder 49 shows the grooved unit 51 fitting into it rather than as previously shown. This method should give the socket greater strength by making the grooved unit 51 one piece and squaring the top at 52 into a square hole in the drive holder and i'tthen being held tight with a screw 53. The grooved unit is illustrated along in FIG. 29.

In FIG. 30 there is shown the type of angle the raised grooves maybe cut at to keep the socket or wrench in- 42 there is shown two raised grooves. At 43 a complete series of grooves are illustrated. The center square 44 must be indented or'lower than the raised grooves so that the main stud on the bottom of the 'drive holder will fit tightly into it.

References now made to FIG 21 wherein 'the'indentedgrooves 29 used in the construction illustrated in FIG. 19 are here clarified in specific construction. It must be' understood that .no matter how steep the grooves run from inside to the outside, they must be cut in the same radius as the outside circumference of the sleeve or jaw for a smooth operation. The angle at which the grooves radiate out to the edge will detera mine the calibration of the studs -on the inside of the sleeve and on the outside of the drive holder. The least angle possible willbe the best and will allow the studs to bemade larger and consequently stronger. But allowance must be made for the maximum expansion.

References now made to FIG. 25. To adjust to a new position, the user takes hold of the top sleeve or barrel and pulls up as far as it will go bringing the studs on'the inside of the sleeves loose of the grooves on the outside of the drive holder. Then he turns it to the desired position and pushes it back down to lock it in place. It is to be noted that the grooves are made so that the parts do trated in FIGS. 17and 20, the barrel is here provided with a series of locking studs'48 which are provided all around the inside of the barrel and which is believed will serve to hold a stronger force.

cylindrical crenients from lifting during the adjustment procedure.

In FIG. 31, the jaw 54 shows a small peg 55 raised only half .the height of the raised groove on the top of the wrench increment. FIG. 33 shows the bottom of the adjustment sleeve with corresponding openings for the peg to fit into, the openings being identified at 56.

FIG. 32- shows yet another method'wherein small bumps 57 on the jaw 58 are placed along side of the raised groove 59 and which are half the height of the groove. In FIG. 33 corresponding openings 60 on the bottom of the adjustment sleeve are provided; The purpose of both of these ideas is to make the socket stronger in the lock position, stopping any tendency for the socket to shimmy or move during torque.

Thus thereis provided various improvements on the foregoing described adjustable socket.

What I now claim is:

1. In an adjustable socket, the combination of a barrel, said barrel being of sleeve-like character and having a rotatable drive holder fitted therein, and a plurality of radially adjustable jaws supported by said barrel and said drive holder, said barrel having an enlarged opening extending a major portion therethrough, said opening communicating with a smaller diameter opening aligned therewith and opening out upon an opposite side of said barrel, and the first said opening having a plurality of inwardly extending locking studs integral therewith.

2.'The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive holder comprises a cylindrical member having a square opening in one end thereof, a reduced diameter central portion having a plurality of radially each said jaw is provided with a plurality of calibrations on an outer cylindrical side thereof, each of said calibrations being identified with a fractional inch dimension, each of said calibrations being selectively able to be aligned with an indicator mark on an outer side of said barrel. 

1. In an adjustable socket, the combination of a barrel, said barrel being of sleeve-like character and having a rotatable drive holder fitted therein, and a plurality of radially adjustable jaws supported by said barrel and said drive holder, said barrel having an enlarged cylindrical opening extending a major portion therethrough, said opening communicating with a smaller diameter opening aligned therewith and opening out upon an opposite side of said barrel, and the first said opening having a plurality of inwardly extending locking studs integral therewith.
 2. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive holder comprises a cylindrical member having a square opening in one end thereof, a reduced diameter central portion having a plurality of radially outwardly extending teeth, said teeth being selectively engageable with said locking studs of said barrel, and the opposite end of said drive holder having an extension receivable through said lesser diameter opening of said barrel, the terminal end of said extension being secureable to a grooved unit.
 3. The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said jaws comprises an elongated arcuate member provided with inwardly extending teeth on an inner arcuate side thereof, an upper end of said jaws each being provided with a raised ridge of arcuate shape which is slideable within an arcuate groove on an underside of said barrel, and each of said jaws upon an underside thereof being provided with an indented groove for slideable engaging said grooved unit that is attached to said drive holder.
 4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said jaw is provided with a plurality of calibrations on an outer cylindrical side thereof, each of said calibrations being identified with a fractional inch dimension, each of said calibrations being selectively able to be aligned with an indicator mark on an outer side of said barrel. 